Am I really a handsome man?

[hankypankee]

Thai women often tell me I’m a handsome man. Do you think they really mean it? I don’t go to bars. Most of the women telling me this are just in normal places like shopping malls, 7-11s, and local stores or restaurants. Often it’s just out of nowhere. I’m just an average looking guy. Never considered myself handsome. And I am a bit shy, so I’m not the kind of guy who goes around chatting up a lot of women. So I don’t feel like I’m encouraging them to say this. Do you think they maybe they wanting me to approach them for a romantic relationship when they say this to me? I can’t really tell. 

[G_Money]

It’s not valid unless they follow up with “Thai man no good”.

 

[Will B Good]

Don't get too carried away.....we all look the same to Thai girls.

[nobodysfriend]

You're "  hansum " when have money ...

 

[zoltannyc]

The phrase 'Handsome man' literally comes from the Thai phrase "ผู้ชายหล่อ" (phoochai-lo, ผู้ชาย phoo-chai = man, หล่อ lor = handsome, good-looking). It is commonly used in the Thai language to describe a good-looking or handsome man.

 

Currently, this is casual slang, so Thais will use "ผู้ชายหล่อ" casually when referring to any good-looking guy, be it a friend, acquaintance, or stranger on the street. This usage is also influenced by pop culture and celebrity trends, as Thai media is filled with good-looking actors, singers, and models. Describing male celebrities as "ผู้ชายหล่อ" is very prevalent in entertainment news and gossip.

 

So when you hear 'handsome man,' it's a mirror translation from Thai. However, I would take this compliment with a grain of salt, as our handsomeness is often considered in proportion to the thickness of our wallet.

 

 

 

[scubascuba3]

Interesting, I don't get called handsome man anymore and clearly i am.....so maybe it's something else, are you new? look like a potential punter?

[OneMoreFarang]

Just tell them thank you, and where do we go from here?

Maybe they will suggest marrying you. Or maybe they suggest the next hotel nearby. Just try! 

[Liverpool Lou]

30 minutes ago, hankypankee said:

Do you think they maybe they wanting me to approach them for a romantic relationship when they say this to me?

No, of course not, you're making it up.

[Gandtee]

32 minutes ago, hankypankee said:

Thai women often tell me I’m a handsome man. Do you think they really mean it? I don’t go to bars. Most of the women telling me this are just in normal places like shopping malls, 7-11s, and local stores or restaurants. Often it’s just out of nowhere. I’m just an average looking guy. Never considered myself handsome. And I am a bit shy, so I’m not the kind of guy who goes around chatting up a lot of women. So I don’t feel like I’m encouraging them to say this. Do you think they maybe they wanting me to approach them for a romantic relationship when they say this to me? I can’t really tell. 

Stupid boy!😆

[Dmaxdan]

8 minutes ago, zoltannyc said:

The phrase 'Handsome man' literally comes from the Thai phrase "ผู้ชายหล่อ" (phoochai-lo, ผู้ชาย phoo-chai = man, หล่อ lor = handsome, good-looking). It is commonly used in the Thai language to describe a good-looking or handsome man.

 

Currently, this is casual slang, so Thais will use "ผู้ชายหล่อ" casually when referring to any good-looking guy, be it a friend, acquaintance, or stranger on the street. This usage is also influenced by pop culture and celebrity trends, as Thai media is filled with good-looking actors, singers, and models. Describing male celebrities as "ผู้ชายหล่อ" is very prevalent in entertainment news and gossip.

 

So when you hear 'handsome man,' it's a mirror translation from Thai. However, I would take this compliment with a grain of salt, as our handsomeness is often considered in proportion to the thickness of our wallet.

 

 

 

Do you not think you are over analyzing it?

 

 

[Dmaxdan]

Post a picture of your yourself and we'll let you know.

[FritsSikkink]

26 minutes ago, zoltannyc said:

 หล่อ lor = handsome,

หล่อ doesn't have a "r" in it.

[ChumpChange]

I look like Gottfried's b00locks and the same thing happens to me everyday. Completely normal thing in the land of vertical smiles.

[Sticky Rice Balls]

velly velly hansum....lorrrrr....jing jing teelak.....now we go to central and you can buy me Iphone?...

 

I lub you too mutt dahling  joop joop

[ChumpChange]

1 minute ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

velly velly hansum....lorrrrr....jing jing teelak.....now we go to central and you can buy me Iphone?...

 

I lub you too mutt dahling  joop joop

senn-tunn!

[fredwiggy]

No matter how many foreigners have come to Thailand, we are still "different" than the local men. Some of course look at foreigners as money, but women are still women, and attraction can still be there, and seeing most country Thai women are a bit shy, the ones that come out and say this to you have already been around foreigners and are attracted to them for this difference. Like any relationship, only time will tell what their motives are.

[novacova]

1 hour ago, hankypankee said:

Thai women often tell me I’m a handsome man. Do you think they really mean it?

They’re just being nice. But if curiosity strikes you then just start asking the chicks if they’re alone and go from there.

[Chris Daley]

It means they want your money.

[Sigma6]

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

หล่อ doesn't have a "r" in it.

Well without the R, no one would say it correctly, and seeing as the vowel is ‘Sara or’ then phonetically it’s correct. 

[aussienam]

This topic sounds a bit 'click bait', but regardless, 'handsome man' topic has been talked about for decades.  

In this country,, in this environment, it's overwhelmingly a pretence , a false compliment to lure in the gullible and those seeking validation from women. 

 

Let's face it, most guys don't get complimented much, if at all, in their home country.  To hear it uttered to you, initially is surprising and for some an instant ego boost.  It's pure fantasy of course.  Probably many guys don't want to know the truth, but just go along with it and those 'feel good' endorphins that these women know how to produce in you.  A compliment, eye gazing, the woman's touch and attention, etc.  

 

Sure, there are 'Chads' who are truly handsome dudes.  Of course.  And girls, who are used to making "handsome" comments, will say the same to them. 

 

This is where you meet the delusional men.  Those with high self esteem, who actually think they are Chad's, but are far from being attractive.  Same goes with vain women who rate themselves much higher than they are thanks to SIMP attention and online validation. 

 

For the 'two week millionaires, no harm done.  An ego boost and after they've departed with tons of money to people who couldn't care less about them, you hope they cut all ties and just have fun memories. 

 

Unfortunately, there are many who get sucked in, believing the lies. They see the pleas for money, being those of a poor woman who has met their 'white knight' and it is up to the unsuspecting guy to be their financial support and 'save' them.   

 

End of the day, old dudes are not handsome men to young fertile women.  Don't be delusional. Enjoy yourself but don't get sucked in.  It's all business.  It won't stop many guys though..... "but this one's different...".

 

[SlyAnimal]

A couple of important points to note:

1 - Culture & threshold for compliments
Thai culture compared to Western culture means that people are much more willing / likely to give a compliment to strangers.  So back in the west, unless it's some cat calling US construction worker, it's very unlikely anyone would give a compliment to a stranger, but in Thailand it seems the norm, especially with Farang.  My son, who is 9 and half Thai, has had random strangers tell him that he's handsome etc in 7/11 or at the traffic lights since he was about 4 or 5.  With compliments being more the norm, it means that there's a lower standard required to illicit a comment compared to in the west (e.g. They'll compliment anyone who's decent looking, not just models).

2 - Different standards of Beauty
Within Thailand having a bridge on your nose and white / pale skin are considered very desirable features.  Comparatively no one really cares about either that much in the west because the majority of Caucasians have the same look.  So assuming you're Caucasian, you're already ahead of the curve and will be seen as handsome provided you're not overweight (If overweight, they'll call you cute instead lol) or wearing a nasty scowl across your face, then you'll probably be called handsome as a compliment, doesn't mean they're interested in jumping you though.

Edited June 10 by SlyAnimal

[BangkokReady]

5 hours ago, hankypankee said:

Thai women often tell me I’m a handsome man. Do you think they really mean it?

 

"Handsomeness" is a subjective term.  They might mean it, even if most other people don't feel the same.

 

They also might not mean it, and just see it as a nice thing to say.

 

If you want to see how differently people view looks in Thailand, just look at something like Miss Thailand.  Skinny and very pasty women.  Or "pretties" with orange hair, bleached skin, huge contacts and braces.  Not attractive at all.

 

5 hours ago, hankypankee said:

Do you think they maybe they wanting me to approach them for a romantic relationship when they say this to me? I can’t really tell. 

 

Probably not.  Thai people will tell a foreigner they're handsome even if they're with their partner, they'll tell their partner they think a foreigner is handsome, or the male partner will tell a foreigner they are handsome.

[Dan747]

"RUN"

[SAFETY FIRST]

12 hours ago, hankypankee said:

Thai women often tell me I’m a handsome man. Do you think they really mean it?

I see you are new here, welcome. 

 

Ask these woman for a bit of hankypankee, Mr hankypankee, it should be an indicator to your question. 

Be prepared for them asking for compensation, say a thousand baht or two, or it may go the other way, you could get a slap in the face. 

 

 

Edited June 10 by SAFETY FIRST

[hankypankee]

So much of a difference of opinions on how I should view things. I am even more confused now. 

[Tanlic]

It gets lost n translation. You handsome man is almost impossible to translate into Thai.

 

However after some in depth research the nearest we could get  to it was "You Old Fuddy Duddy"

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, hankypankee said:

So much of a difference of opinions on how I should view things. I am even more confused now. 

Try asking your question on the Dear Abby coloum. 

 

This forum is not the place for answers. 

 

 

[ezzra]

I have come to learn that with the local lassas, the more you open your wallet (Jai Di) the more handsome you're...

[stoner]

i am handsome though so its different for me. plus i'm young. 

[VBF]

1 hour ago, stoner said:

i am handsome though so its different for me. plus i'm young. 

And clearly not at all big-headed